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1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
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2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
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3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
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4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
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5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
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6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
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7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
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8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
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9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
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10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
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11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
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12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
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13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
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14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
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15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
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16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
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17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
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18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
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19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
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20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
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21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
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22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
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23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
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24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
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25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
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- 1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,
- 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
- 3 Honor widows who are widows indeed;
- 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
- 5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.
- 6 But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.
- 7 Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.
- 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- 9 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
- 10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
- 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,
- 12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.
- 13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.
- 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;
- 15 for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
- 16 If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.
- 17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
- 18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
- 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
- 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.
- 21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
- 22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
- 23 No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
- 24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.
- 25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
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